Buoyant Yeung scores 300th win and rare double
Popular local jockey secures milestone figure thanks to Master Of All and Awesome Treasure
Keith Yeung Ming-lun celebrated his 300th Hong Kong winner at Sha Tin yesterday courtesy of his first double in nearly four years.
Yeung’s career has been repeatedly halted by injury but the 36-year-old was left with a beaming smile thanks to the victories of Master Of All and Awesome Treasure.
“It’s been a long journey – I never thought I would achieve that number,” Yeung said.
“It’s been very complicated. There have been lots of ups and downs – falls, injuries, good rides, bad rides.”
After beginning his career in the city at the start of the 2008-09 season, Yeung enjoyed plenty of success for trainer Almond Lee and was crowned the 2009-10 champion apprentice.
The rider continued to knuckle down and gained his first big-race success aboard Dances With Dragon in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) in June 2020.
Leung moved to 14 wins for the season – his biggest haul since the 2018-19 campaign – and acknowledged Lee’s influence in his career.
“I really want to pay tribute to my first boss, Almond Lee,” Yeung said.
“He brought me into the industry and taught me a lot and without all of his help and tutoring I would not be standing here.”
Yeung opened his account with a commanding win aboard the Chris So Wai-yin-trained Master Of All in the Class Five Yau Ma Tei Handicap (1,400m).
Providing So with the first leg of his own double, which was secured with Winning Gold in the Class Four Ho Man Tin Handicap (1,400m), Master Of All kicked clear to finish three and half lengths clear of his next best rival.
Yeung landed the milestone when he produced the David Hayes-trained Awesome Treasure to perfection in the Class Four Kowloon Cricket Club Centenary Cup (1,200m).
Fending off a late challenge from $1.8 favourite King Miles, Awesome Treasure had his head in front at the all important moment after three consecutive runner-up efforts.
Hayes, who moved to 43 wins for the season, was delighted to be a part of Yeung’s milestone after the rider delivered the handler his first win when he returned to Hong Kong’s training ranks in September 2020.
“Keith gave me my first Hong Kong win when I came back so that’s so good,” Hayes said.
“It was my first runner which was really important to me and Keith won on him, so it’s nice to see him have his 300th winner.”
While Yeung only had to wait 13 rides between drinks, Dylan Mo Hin-tung had to endure a much longer interval before he managed to end his 73-ride drought.
There have been lots of ups and downs – falls, injuries, good rides, bad rides
JOCKEY KEITH YEUNG
Mo secured his second win of the season with an all-the-way victory aboard Massive Action in the Class Three Tsim Sha Tsui Handicap (1,650m).
The 30-year-old had only returned one winner from 110 rides before yesterday’s programme and doubled his season tally thanks to the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained galloper.
Mo, whose only other win this season came in November at Happy Valley, says he will try to kick on for the remainder of the campaign.
“This season has been a little bit hard but I try very hard to get more support and more wins,” Mo said. “I’m very thankful for the owner and trainer for giving me the ride again. I just try my best to get winners.”
Also among the winners was David Hall, who left celebrating after Ka Ying Victory and Sun Of Makfi brought up a race-to-race double.